Extreme Inequalities In Contemporary Capitalism: Should We Be Concerned About The Rich?
by Maurizio Franzini /
2016 / Italian / PDF
1.9 MB Download
This book explores the mechanisms by which top incomes are achieved through work in today’s advanced economies and asks to what extent current extreme inequalities are compatible with widely held values of social justice. Reflecting on the heterogeneity of the working rich, the authors argue that very high earnings often result not from heightened competition induced by globalization but rather from a lack of competition, or at best deficient competition. It is proposed that such incomes cannot be justified in terms of efficiency or merit and do not generate positive trickle-down effects with benefits for all of society rather, extreme inequalities in earnings risk jeopardizing equality of opportunity. The book concludes by offering a wide array of innovative policy prescriptions that are not punitive in intent and are not merely directed toward income redistribution. Readers will find the book to be a fascinating source of insights into the subject of the working rich, which remains largely unexplored within both economics and ethicsAuthors: Franzini, Maurizio, Granaglia, Elena, Raitano, Michele
Explores the mechanisms by which top incomes are achieved and examines their economic and social impact
Focuses on an underexplored subject: not the wealthy, but the working rich
Combines in-depth descriptive analysis and policy suggestions
Uses rigorous but easy-to-understand economic and philosophical language
This book explores the mechanisms by which top incomes are achieved through work in todays advanced economies and asks to what extent current extreme inequalities are compatible with widely held values of social justice. Reflecting on the heterogeneity of the working rich, the authors argue that very high earnings often result not from heightened competition induced by globalization but rather from a lack of competition, or at best deficient competition. It is proposed that such incomes cannot be justified in terms of efficiency or merit and do not generate positive trickle-down effects with benefits for all of society rather, extreme inequalities in earnings risk jeopardizing equality of opportunity. The book concludes by offering a wide array of innovative policy prescriptions that are not punitive in intent and are not merely directed toward income redistribution. Readers will find the book to be a fascinating source of insights into the subject of the working rich, which remains largely unexplored within both economics and ethics.
Number of Illustrations and Tables
13 b/w illustrations
Topics
Economic Policy
Social Structure, Social Inequality
Social Policy, Public Economics
Political Economy
Labor Economics
Ethics
